Fucito Selected in MLS SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders FC

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Harvard's Michael Fucito was selected in the 2009 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by the Seattle Sounders FC at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention Thursday. Fucito was drafted 46th overall and was the first choice taken in the fourth round.

A native of Westford, Mass., Fucito was one of only two Ivy League players selected in this year's draft and became the fourth Harvard player chosen since the MLS draft's inception in 1996, joining Will Kohler (15th overall in 1997), Tom MacLaughlin (36th overall in 1998) and Kevin Ara (24th overall in 2004).

"This is a great honor and well-deserved," said Jamie Clark, the Virginia B. and James O. Welch '52 Head Coach for Harvard Men's Soccer. "Michael has proven to be a great player at the college level, and now he has a chance to bring his game to the next level. If he was healthy this season, he had the potential to be a top 10 choice. Seattle made a brilliant pick."

Fucito, who attended last month's MLS Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., ranks fourth on Harvard's all-time goal, assist and scoring lists with 32 tallies and 24 helpers for 88 points. In 2008, he was named to the NSCAA All-America second team for the second straight fall and garnered his third consecutive All-Ivy League first-team selection after recording nine goals and collecting four assists. Fucito's 22 points during his senior campaign placed him second on the Crimson and third in the Ivy League. He was also second in the conference last fall with a Harvard-best four game-winning strikes and helped the Crimson to its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament.

A finalist for this year's Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, Fucito was honored by College Soccer News along with teammate Andre Akpan as the “Most Exciting Combination” in Division I Men’s Soccer and also garnered preseason All-America distinction by College Soccer News and Soccer America. Fucito, the 2004 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, was named to the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy Watch list prior to last year.

An excellent student in the classroom, Fucito was tabbed twice on the Academic All-Ivy League team, earning that honor in 2007 and 2008.

The Seattle Sounders FC will be playing its inaugural season in 2009 and will open up March 19 at home against the New York Red Bulls.